Tech Update: Photon Shockwave’s splashable cards

November 19th, 2011

Photon Shockwave has been legal in tournaments for less than a week, and we’re already seeing its impact! We might be seeing a lot of a certain ‘armageddon bunny’ this weekend. But check out some of Photon Shockwave’s hottest cards that are being added to lots of Duelists’ Decks at this event.

.

1. Wind-Up Zenmaines

Wind-Up Zenmaines is the Rank 3 monster that Duelists have been waiting for – a Rank 3 monster with layers of protection, that is also capable of destroying cards. It does this by seeding the field with mines. Not only do these mines protect it from harm, but they also inflict collateral damage on the enemy!

By detaching an Xyz Material from Wind-Up Zenmaines, you can stop it from being destroyed. Then, in the End Phase, Zenmaines will destroy any card on the field.

Does your opponent have a 2700 ATK Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier on the field? Attack into it with Wind-Up Zenmaines while it has an Xyz Material, in order to destroy Trishula in the End Phase.

Is your opponent threatening your field with Dark Hole? Don’t worry – you can detach an Xyz Material from Wind-Up Zenmaines and it’ll survive the call into the abyss.

Wind-Up Zenmaines is also one of the easiest Xyz Monsters to Summon. It’s a Rank 3 monster, which means that Normal Summoning Tour Guide From the Underworld will instantly let you recruit a Fiend that can be used to Xyz Summon Wind-Up Zenmaines.

Wind-Up Zenmaines is a welcome addition to any Deck already running Tour Guide From the Underworld. We’re sure to see a lot of plays involving Zenmaines this weekend!

.

2. Shard of Greed

Drawing cards has always been a powerful way to take the lead in a Duel in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD, and thanks to Photon Shockwave, now there’s a new way to draw 2 cards by using just 1.

Shard of Greed gains a Greed Counter during each of your Draw Phases, and by sending Shard of Greed to your Graveyard with 2 Greed Counters, you get to draw 2 cards.

There’s nothing subtle about Shard of Greed’s power. Decks using cards like Starlight Road to protect it can make the best use Shard of Greed, but just about anyone can benefit from drawing extra cards!

.

3. Photon Sabre Tiger

Just as drawing cards has always been a powerful move in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, so has searching your Deck for a card to add to your hand. Photon Sabre Tiger lets you search your Deck for another copy of itself whenever it’s Normal or Flip Summoned. The first Photon Sabre Tiger you Summon may only have 1200 ATK, but while you control at least 2 Sabre Tigers, each of their Attack Points skyrocket to 2000!

Photon Sabre Tiger also has great synergy with lots of popular cards. Since it’s a Level 3 monster, it can be used to Xyz Summon powerful Rank 3 monsters like Leviair the Sea Dragon, and the brand new Wind-Up Zenmaines. Also, while Skill Drain is face-up on the field, Photon Sabre Tiger’s ATK will jump to 2000 ATK, regardless of whether or not you have another Tiger on the field. Plus, since Photon Sabre Tiger is a Beast-Type monster, its ATK can be boosted by Horn of the Phantom Beast. These synergies and its self-replacing effect make Photon Sabre Tiger a natural fit in Decks like T.G.s.

.

4. Metaion, the Timelord

Metaion, the Timelord is the perfect monster for clearing an opponent’s field and turning a Duel around. Metaion is a Level 10 monster that can be Normal Summoned without Tribute while you control no monsters, and it can’t be destroyed by card effects. When it attacks or is attacked, it returns all other monsters on the field to their owners’ hands. Then it returns itself to your Deck in your Standby Phase.

Metaion’s ability is a powerful one, since it also returns Xyz Monsters and Synchro Monsters to the Extra Deck at no cost. As an added bonus, Metaion, the Timelord deals 300 points of damage to the opponent for each card returned! Since Metaion can single-handedly demolish a field full of Synchro Monsters and Xyz Monsters, its sure to catch a lot of Duelists off guard this weekend.

.

5. Deep Dark Trap Hole

Duelists have always had their eyes on the Trap Hole progeny, and Deep Dark Trap Hole is the latest pit that a monster can fall into. Deep Dark Trap Hole banishes any Level 5 or higher Effect Monster when it’s Summoned. Since Deep Dark Trap Hole doesn’t “destroy” that monster, it can even take down Stardust Dragon without being negated. Other popular Synchro Monsters, like T.G. Hyper Librarian and Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier will also fall victim to Deep Dark Trap Hole. But be careful when using Deep Dark Trap Hole! Since Xyz Monsters have Ranks instead of Levels, Deep Dark Trap Hole is powerless to banish them.